The extraordinary Chaka Salt Lake, QingHai

With Walk East ...

[640],shadow=true,start=,stop=

Bonus film - the Singing Sand Dunes of GanSu ...

[320],shadow=true,start=,stop=

Visitor Guide to Chaka Salt Lake, QingHai

Overview

Chaka Salt Lake, located in the Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in QingHai Province, is a stunning natural wonder known for its mirror-like reflection of the sky. Often referred to as the "Mirror of the Sky," this salt lake offers breathtaking views and a unique travel experience.

Getting There

By Air: The nearest airport is CaoJiabao Airport in XiNing, the capital of QingHai Province, located approximately 300 kilometers from Chaka Salt Lake. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to XiNing Railway Station, and then a train or bus to Chaka Town.

By Train: You can take a train to Chaka Railway Station, which is well-connected to major cities like XiNing and Lhasa. From the station, you can take a local taxi or shuttle bus to the lake.

By Bus: Long-distance buses from XiNing and other cities in QingHai Province can take you to Chaka Town. From there, local buses and taxis are available to reach the lake.

Getting Around

  • Walking: The best way to explore Chaka Salt Lake is on foot, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the stunning scenery and take beautiful photographs.
  • Local Transport: Taxis and shuttle buses are available for traveling to and from different parts of the lake area.

Main Attractions

Mirror Reflection

The most famous feature of Chaka Salt Lake is its mirror-like surface, which perfectly reflects the sky and surrounding mountains. The best time to see this phenomenon is on a clear day, especially during sunrise and sunset when the colors are most vibrant.

Salt Sculptures

The lake is surrounded by fascinating salt sculptures, created both naturally and by local artists. These sculptures add an artistic touch to the already stunning landscape.

Chaka Salt Lake Scenic Area

The scenic area offers well-maintained walkways, viewing platforms, and resting spots for visitors. It's a great place to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the natural beauty of the lake.

Train Rides

A narrow-gauge tourist train runs along the edge of the lake, offering a unique perspective and a convenient way to see more of the area. The train ride is especially popular among families and photographers.

Stargazing

Due to its high altitude and clear skies, Chaka Salt Lake is an excellent location for stargazing. On a clear night, you can see a breathtaking display of stars, making it a popular spot for astronomy enthusiasts.

Local Cuisine

While visiting Chaka Salt Lake, you can enjoy a variety of local and regional dishes. Here are some recommendations:

  • Lamb Dishes: The region is known for its high-quality lamb, which is used in various dishes such as roasted lamb, lamb hotpot, and lamb kebabs.
  • QingHai Yogurt: Made from yak milk, QingHai yogurt is thick, creamy, and slightly tangy. It is often served with honey or sugar.
  • Tibetan Cuisine: Enjoy traditional Tibetan dishes such as tsampa (roasted barley flour), yak butter tea, and momos (dumplings).

Shopping

  • Salt Products: Chaka Salt Lake is a major producer of salt, and you can purchase various salt products, including salt crystals, salt lamps, and bath salts.
  • Local Handicrafts: Explore shops for traditional Tibetan and Mongolian handicrafts, such as jewelry, textiles, and wooden carvings.
  • Specialty Foods: Purchase local specialties such as dried yak meat, yak cheese, and Tibetan pastries.

Accommodation

  • Hotels: Chaka Town offers several hotels and guesthouses catering to different budgets, providing comfortable accommodations and easy access to the lake.
  • Eco-Lodges: For a more unique experience, consider staying in an eco-lodge or yurt near the lake, which offers stunning views and a closer connection to nature.

Historical Background of Chaka Salt Lake

Chaka Salt Lake has a history of salt production dating back over 3,000 years. The lake's salt has been an essential resource for local communities, providing economic support and playing a crucial role in daily life.

The name "Chaka" means "salt lake" in Tibetan, reflecting the area's significance in Tibetan culture. The lake has also been an important stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road, a trade route that connected China with Tibet and other regions.

In recent years, Chaka Salt Lake has developed into a major tourist destination, attracting visitors with its unique natural beauty and mirror-like reflections. The local government has invested in infrastructure and facilities to enhance the visitor experience while preserving the lake's natural environment.

Tips for Visitors

  • Best Time to Visit: The best times to visit Chaka Salt Lake are summer (June to August) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and the lake's reflections are most impressive.
  • Clothing: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures. Sun protection, such as hats and sunscreen, is also recommended.
  • Respect Local Customs: Be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially when visiting nearby Tibetan and Mongolian communities.
  • Language: While Mandarin is widely spoken, learning a few basic phrases or using a translation app can be very helpful.
  • Plan Your Visit: Chaka Salt Lake is best explored at a leisurely pace. Take your time to enjoy the stunning views, visit local attractions, and savor the local cuisine.

Conclusion

Chaka Salt Lake, with its breathtaking mirror reflections, unique salt sculptures, and rich cultural heritage, offers a one-of-a-kind travel experience. Whether you're exploring the scenic area, enjoying local cuisine, or stargazing under the clear night sky, Chaka Salt Lake provides a serene and memorable escape. Plan your visit carefully to make the most of your trip to this stunning destination in QingHai Province.

GanSu map
QingHai map

Related Videos

 

Featured Videos

Japan as the new Ukraine ?
The US is encircling China to maintain its hegemony, and Japan is one key 'useful idiot' proxy / expendable missile base. Will the US be fighting China to the last Japanese ? With The Grayzone ... With The New Atlas ... With Geopolitics In Conflict ...
A beautiful song – ‘Big Fish’  大鱼
From the awesome 2016 animated movie Big Fish and Begonia, directed by Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun, produced by Chinese studio B&T (Breath & Touch) in BeiJing - get it on DVD or at Netflix. An English language cover by AirahTea ... Writer : Zhou Shen 周深 海浪无声将夜幕深深淹没 The waves silently drown out the falling of night 漫过天尽头的角落 Drifting to the outermost corner of the sky 大鱼在梦境的缝隙里游过 The big fish swims amongst the nooks and crannies of a dream world 凝望你沉睡的轮廓 Gazing Longingly at your sleeping figure 看天一色听风起雨落 Look at the sea and sky, listen to the wind and rain 执子手吹散苍茫茫烟波 Grasping your hand, the vast mist slowly disperses 大鱼的翅膀已经太辽阔 But the wings of the fish are already too vast 我松开时间绳索 I have no choice but to release the rope of time 怕你飞远去 I'm afraid you'll fly away 怕你离我而去 Fly very far away from me 更怕你永远停留在这里 Even more than that, I'm afraid you'll never leave this place 每一滴泪水都向你流淌去 Every tear I shed always flows back to you 倒流进天空的海底 Flowing backwards in time from the sky to the sea 海浪无声将夜幕深深淹没 The waves silently drown out the falling of night 漫过天空尽头的角落 Drifting to the outermost corner of the sky 大鱼在梦境的缝隙里游过 The big fish swims amongst the nooks and crannies of a dream world 凝望你沉睡的轮廓 Gazing Longingly at your sleeping figure 看海天一色听风起雨落 Look at the sea and sky, listen to the wind and rain 执子手吹散苍茫茫烟波 Grasping your hand, the vast mist slowly disperses 大鱼的翅膀已经太辽阔 But the wings of the fish are already too vast 我松开时间的绳索 I have no choice but to release the rope of time 看你飞远去 I watch you fly away from me 看你离我而去 Fly very far away from me 原来你生来就属于天际 It seems you belong to the stars and the skies 每一滴泪水都向你流淌去 Every tear I shed always flows back to you 倒流回最初的相遇 Flowing back in time to the very first moment I saw you 倒流回最初的相遇 Flowing back in time to the very first moment I saw you AirahTea's translation : As the night begins, the sea takes quietly All the silent darkness of the sky. In my dream I see the fish swim gracefully, Gone as soon the sun begins to rise. Hear the rising wind. See the falling rain. Take my hand and I'll wash away the pain. Spread your wings, my dear. Don't be scared to grow. It is time for me to let you go. I am scared to see you fly far from me. But I fear even more if you stay here. All the pain I feel, every tear that I cry Flows reversed from the sea to the sky. As the night begins, the sea takes quietly All the silent darkness of the sky. In my dream I see the fish swim gracefully, Gone as soon the sun begins to rise. Hear the rising wind. See the falling rain. Take my hand and I'll wash away the pain. Spread your wings, my dear. Don't be scared to grow. It is time for me to let you go. As I see you fly, leaving me here behind. I could see, you were never mine to keep. All the pain I feel, every tear that I cry Flows reversed to when we said goodbye.
‘I remember you’ – China 中国 tour …
Get up, get up, get up (and go). With a cool drum and bass mix, and some snazzy editing ...
BeiJing 北京 and ShangHai 上海 – winter trip
China in the snow; all in just 3 minutes ... Bonus film ...
Beautiful scenes at JiuZhaiGou 九寨沟 valley, SiChuan province
Cyan lakes, wonderful waterfalls and verdant forests ...
Emotional stress and our health / illness
Thoughts on how emotional stress / trauma can get stuck / repressed (suppressed / buried / hidden) and have a big impact on our current health / 'diseases'. The insights of Pavlov (conditioning) and Freud (repression, the unconscious, projection, ...) remain key facts in psychology ... Emotional stress is being stuck in the past, in some deep-rooted ways. To live in the now, those roots must be uncovered and removed. True living is not reliving the past, or fearing the future; it is about being in the now, detached from past conditioning / beliefs, and the ensuing fear of / dreams of the future. Eat when hungry, sleep when tired, live while you're alive. What you do now, is what will live on. Simple as that.
GuiYang city night walk, GuiZhou province
With Walk East ... Driving through the downtown ...
Universal Studios, BeiJing
Full, day to night tour. With Wei's Travel ... Bonus film - walking the sky gardens at Centennial Park, ShangHai ...
A trip to Kashgar, XinJiang province
With Alan & Shannon ...

Tag search ?